I feel compelled to address all the discussions regarding continuous -run buttons on tools,fingers driven into tablesaw blades, drama on the worksite. We work hard,we bend over to satisfy customer,we suffer.For what?definately not the glorification of our struggles. I intensely hate the bid system. It pits against each other–not that the competition is’nt good because that makes dig deeper creatively and make our processsl sleek and efficient. What’s a more satisfying job than ours, each day we see our sucesses (and screw-ups).
I’ve been at this for 35 years garden structures,decks, remodels and i’ve got to say i’ve pretty much done whatever job interested me. Last year I did a building front in WYO, a bunch of decks (tried 6 different decking systems), Built a stone grotto for a statue w/ a gravity flow pond up in the hills. Cut off church pews and re-upholstered.Bla-bla, bla.
The jist is that I really interviewed all these folks, figured out if they were worth spending my time on. If I could really do something worthy on a project, retain my sanity, keep all 10 digits, have these folks say thank you (i like that part) and walk away with cash in pocket to enjoy some and pursuits and relax abit.
The big question: Are you taking care of the customer and youself? You can’t expect to do a satisfactory job and work safe if you’re not grounded and in the moment, Yes?
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The big question: Are you taking care of the customer and youself?
Balancing your life style with your actual income is partially the key. What you talk about is everyone's goal but sooner or later work slows down long enough to force you to do what ever you have to, to get something going.
Maybe your one of the lucky one's who has always had lots of leads to pick through and stay busy. It doesn't mean neccessarily that that reflects the quality of your work. And it doesn't mean your talents are pour just because you are getting few leads.
In the best of markets with the best of talents we can do great things. But the key is can you do the same in the worst of markets.
In a perfect world, grasshopper, ....
That makes me smile. Actually i'm alot of times at the bottom of the pile and pretty much acknowledge that my attitude turns people off. I don't actively diplay it , rather live in a small town. Right this minute i'm fretting lack of work.I was'nt trying to be high and mighty, just opinionated. Sorry!
My apologies, I didn't mean to say that. I was agreeing with you. I just meant that holding on to my, similar, way of thinking gets tough as things slow down and my poor planning of personal funds deplete.
Edited 3/21/2006 10:25 am by jagwah
Gosh,we're human. And we're all brothers too! Like minded.
Too add insult to injury I've actually had a few customers ask me to call them when things slow down so that I might be willing to offer a better rate.
Staying alive in this business has many challenges one of which is the resistance to abuse one's hammer on the head of a client.
You can call me anything you want, but make me feel little and that's it.Your last statement makes my blood boil.I'm a slow burn but a customer makes that offer and it's all over.Basically what I was trying to bring up the whole time, smart man.